Lewis L. Applegate
Lewis L. Applegate, familiarly known as "Lew" Applegate, is one of the prominent grain and stockmen of Cincinnati, whose record is alike creditable to him and those with whom he has associated. He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1860, a son of Samuel and Agnes (McDowell) Applegate. The father moved with his family to Cincinnati in 1869 and there spent the remainder of his days. He engaged in grocery business in New Jersey but after arriving at his new home became a manufacturer of hat racks. Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic order and advanced through the various degrees at his old home in New Brunswick, including that of the Knights Templer. He died about 1891, at the age of fifty-five years.
Mr. Applegate whose name stands at the head of this sketch attended the public schools of Cincinnati and Newport, Kentucky. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the grain and stock business and has now been engaged a greater number of years in this business than any other man in the city. The firm of which he is the head was established by W.F. Greely in 1878. F.A. Bradley became proprietor the following year and conducted the business until 1893 when he was succeeded by Frazier & Applegate. Two years later the name was changed to the Phoenix Grain and Stock Exchange, of which H.M. Foster was president and Mr. Applegate was manager. The firm went out of business January 7, 1911. Mr. Applegate is now in business for himself and has an office in the Mitchell Building.
In 1879 Mr. Applegate was married to Miss Julia Edwards and they have two children: Charles, a resident of Newport, Kentucky; and Lewis L., Jr. of Covington Kentucky. The mother of the children was a woman of many admirable characteristics and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She died in 1903, at the age of forty-three, and in 1904 Mr. Applegate was married to Miss Julia Francis McKenna, of Xenia, Ohio. Politically he has given his support to the Republican Party ever since he arrived at manhood. He served one term as a member of the city council at Covington, being the only republican who was elected at that time. He has taken a great interest in fraternal organizations for many years and is a member of Covington Lodge, A.F. & A.M.; Covington Chapter, R.A.M.; Kenton Council, R. & S.M.; Covington Commandery, K.T.; Louisville Consistory, S.P.R.S.; and Syrian Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. He is past exalted ruler of the Elks lodge of Covington; past worthy president of the Eagles of Covington; past counselor of Cincinnati Council, No.2, U.C.T.; a member of the National Union; and in its day was a member of the Supreme Body of the Knights of the Essenic Order. While he has closely applied himself to his business he has also taken an active part, as is indicated above, in various lines of helpfulness to others and is one of the best known and most popular men in Cincinnati. His success is the direct result of close application, thorough knowledge of his business and of a reputation for "square dealing," which is acquired only by years of conscientious endeavor.
From Cincinnati, The Queen City, Volume III, by Rev. Charles Frederic Goss, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912